N.C. Shakespeare Festival presents “A Christmas Carol,” various times now through Sunday, High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Ave., High Point. $10 to $15. Visit ncshakes.org or call (336) 887-3001 for more details.

Carolina Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” now through Dec. 23 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and Dec. 29-30 at DPAC in Durham. Tickets range from $20 to $100 and can be purchased by calling (919) 719-0900 or (800) 982-2787 or by visiting www.carolinaballet.com.